Salem-area students plan to participate in national walkouts Wednesday morning

A voicemail from Superintendent Christy Perry to parents about the student-led walkout planned for March 14.

Special to the Statesman

At 10 a.m. Wednesday morning, thousands of students nationwide will walk out of their classrooms and protest against gun violence.

They will demonstrate for 17 minutes — one minute for every life lost on Feb. 14 in the Parkland, Florida shooting.

"I'm protesting about gun control," said Jonathan Geronimo (center), 15, a sophomore from Port St. ...more

"I'm protesting about gun control," said Jonathan Geronimo (center), 15, a sophomore from Port St. Lucie, as at least 100 Port St. Lucie High School students made their way to the front gates of the school in a peaceful protest honoring the 17 slain Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 at the school in Port St. Lucie.

LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

And Salem-area teens are planning to join.

Students from more than a dozen Salem-Keizer Public Schools and surrounding areas are organizing similar protests, including walkouts expected at Houck, Leslie and Stephens middle schools.

Salem-Keizer district officials are supporting students' rights to protest, but have informed families that teachers will be taking attendance before and after. Students will receive an unexcused absence if they miss any time outside the protest.

Officials said staff will supervise any students who participate and the day's lessons will continue in the classrooms for students who do not.

Students outside Salem-Keizer are organizing protests as well, from Abiqua Academy, a K-12 independent school in Salem, to college students at Willamette University.